Chapter - 2
https://mouthshut.com/diary/biaemsllr/The%20Evening%20Star
Jackie was a very intelligent pup. Initially Meghna felt, she is tackling twins, but other one grew faster. It is said, one year of dog is equal to four years of human. So, he was growing faster, much faster.
Soon he learnt all the rules of the house.
Meghna often wondered if he was a dog or a genie. For Snigdha it could transform into a horse, a pillow, a toy and all the imaginative things was not understandable by Meghna. It was all between the coded language of Snigdha and Jackie.
Then came the day when Snigdha went to school for first time. It was like hell broke loose.
The previous night, she was so excited to see her new bag, water bottle, pencils crayons. In the morning also, she was quite eager to see her new school. She even posed in her new uniform with bag and bottle, giving the looks of a scholar. Even at the bus stop she was the only chirpy child, every other kid was a little scared. The moment the bus came, she hopped first in the bus, and then turned around, and saw Jackie struggling to hop in but was pulled back by Meghna.
That was it, she shrieked “Let him come, I will not go without him. I want to get down.”
It was quite a sight for everyone. Parents, conductor, driver, everyone was puzzled. But driver quickly started the bus, and Meghna heard her cries till a distance. But that was not the end. Jackie was uncontrollable, he was for the first time disobeying Meghna, was trying to break loose, even growled on her. But then she scolded him and dragged him back home. She somehow managed to chain him, drenched with sweat, Meghna was furious. Those three hours were Meghna’s nightmare, Jackie growled, cried, howled, and refused to drink even water. It was impossible to talk to anyone over phone or personally. Neighbours peeped to see, if everything was all right.
Finally it was time to get Snigdha back from bus stop. And to go there without Jackie was not possible.
She went to him; he was resting on the floor. She moved her fingers in his fur and said “Come Jackie, let’s go to get Snigdha”
He got up immediately; she moved his water tray towards him and he took few sips. She chained him; he obeyed like a perfect kid. She saw the lines from his eyes; the tears that rolled all the way from those deep black eyes for last three hours. The moment bus arrived Snigdha was first one to jump and she hugged him so hard, Meghna stood there speechless. They both cried. Jackie hugged her little girl. For a mother it is very difficult to share her kids love and attention, but Meghna, today she realized the bond that was created between Snigdha and Jackie.
As she walked slowly towards home, she was smiling seeing Jackie and Snigdha walking together and she behind them, carrying the bag, bottle and yes, the chain.
Next morning, they made a plan. They locked Jackie on the terrace while taking Snigdha for school. To their shock he jumped from first floor and broke his front leg. Mona could not believe it, as she plastered him. Next time onwards, he was locked on the terrace but chained as well.
Gradually they both understood that this was not going to change and they have to depart for some time. But Jackie had an alarm clock in his mind, ten minutes prior he would not let Meghna work, he would pull he saree, dupatta. After a few days, all the ends of all her sarees and duppattas had canine holes in them.
https://mouthshut.com/diary/afahummlr/The-Evening-Star3
